Letter to the Editor: Lack of PPE killed our colleagues

Sunday May 10 2020, 12.01am, The Sunday Times

Staff at a London hospital kitted out with appropriate PPE

PETER MACDIARMID

Sunday May 10 2020, 12.01am, The Sunday Times

At the time of writing, at least 185 health and social care workers have died of Covid-19. These were our friends, mentors and peers, and we are gravely concerned that recent guidance from the chief coroner places limits on the investigation of shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) at inquests into their deaths.

We acknowledge that, as a matter of law, an inquest is not the forum to examine systemic failures in the national provision of PPE, but these matters must not be overlooked. Unless a judge-led public inquiry is announced, inquests are the only way for the families and friends of our dead colleagues to ask questions and seek answers.

Therefore, the chief coroner should ensure that local availability of PPE will be considered